So many of us today are striving. For some of us, perfection = performance + striving. While for others, fear = treading + striving. Either way, we find ourselves striving in performance-based lives. As Christ followers, we were made for more than striving. I like to reflect on the verse, Psalm 46:10 Be still (cease striving) and know that I am God. God already knew that many of us would be strivers in our lives on earth. That it would be difficult to slow down or even step back from time to time.

That, for us, means we miss much of the goodness God intends for us. I want to invite you to give yourself permission to slow your roll for a bit. Yes, I mean even you. I'd like for you to be able to get to a place where you can pause. Now, close your eyes for a moment, begin to give yourself permission using these words; “I give myself permission to slow down and to think back to a memory of gratefulness, where I was connected to God in the moment.” Once you get to that memory, I'd like you to stay there for maybe 10 - 15 seconds. Focus on how it made you feel. Even take a breath in and then let it out to revel in it.

Now, I'd like you to give that memory a short title. What did you feel in your body when you relived that memory of feeling grateful and connected to God? Feel free to note it somewhere in your phone or on scratch paper. Next what do you think God might have been wanting to impress on you about the memory? Note that down as well.

Congratulations! You took a pause for yourself. You increased your joy capacity in doing so. You stopped striving for a moment and started thriving. If you need to pick up the pace of your role, again go ahead. No judgement here! Give yourself permission to move forward in joy. Spend time recalling the greatness of God, in your life and make a list of his incredible ways. By doing so, Jim Wilder writes we are bringing honor and reverence to God and stirring joy in ourselves. Now, for some of you this might sound familiar since this is from his book The Other Half of Church.

Gratitude is the first step in building joy. Congratulations, you built joy today! How long has it been since you told someone how grateful you were for something they did? Whether it be for something they did of value for you or someone else around you? Are we not to exhort one another as commanded by God? This may be a little more difficult to recall. How long has it been since someone told you how grateful they were for you or something you did? Did they add value when they spoke to you about it? Did it make you feel that they were describing the heart of Christ - like character to you?

When we return to thinking on things of gratefulness in our lives, God’s interaction of provision, healing or protection; how does it make you feel? Does it bring you concern? Does it bring you butterflies in your stomach? Does it bring you laughter? Do you think about yourself, God, and other people differently now? Note it, date it, and give thanks for the time that you were able to go back and recall your memory of gratefulness today with God. Thank you for joining me on this joyful journey! Until next time I’ve got the joy joy joy down in my heart! Where!? Down in my heart to stay…